Naruto: By lying low and hiding, he eventually became the leader of the Legendary Sannin.

"I think it's not bad."

Strong people shouldn't complain about their circumstances; if they have the ability, even one spot is enough.

Upon hearing his words, the faces of the Mizukage and Kazekage darkened.

Just as they opened their mouths to say something more, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silent all along, finally spoke:

"My lords, please calm down."

Rest assured, we will ensure that this exam is as fair as possible.

Why don't we all listen to what the examiner has to say next before we discuss it?

Chapter 74 Who says you can't use puppetry without puppets?

On the other side, facing the murmurs of the crowd, Kato Dan seemed to have expected it and did not show any signs of impatience.

After a moment of silence, and as the murmurs in the room gradually subsided, Kato Dan cleared his throat again and spoke:

"Ahem!

I believe everyone has already seen the match schedule on the screen above. Let me explain it to you first.

As he spoke, he suddenly raised his right hand and pointed to the empty space at the top of the battle list, saying:

"The last name to appear there will be the only loser in this exam."

Upon hearing this, the candidates were slightly taken aback.

Before any further murmurs could arise, Kato Dan immediately continued:

"The loser of each match will advance to the next round and continue fighting against other losers."

Those who lose will proceed to the next round, so the person who finally reaches that position is the ultimate loser in this exam.

After speaking, Kato paused, giving the test takers time to understand.

After everyone showed signs of understanding, he spoke again:

"Yes, you understand the competition schedule mechanism now."

Next, I will explain the requirements for a 1-on-1 duel.

Players are not allowed to intentionally kill their opponents during the match; otherwise, they will be declared the loser.

If necessary, I, as the examiner, will intervene.

The form of the duel is unrestricted; ninja tools, ninjutsu, etc., can be used...

Just as Kato was explaining the details of the duel, the Kage on the stage finally realized and understood the rules of the duel.

However, after carefully understanding Kato Dan's choice of words, the Mizukage, Yagura, keenly sensed something amiss. He smiled and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"Hehe, the examiner said from beginning to end that there is only one loser in this competition, but he didn't say that the loser was that person, right?"

Upon hearing this, the other Kage also showed thoughtful expressions and looked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled before speaking:

"Yes, Lord Mizukage, you are right."

In this assessment, the winner is not guaranteed a promotion to Chunin.

Rather than focusing on the outcome, we'd like to see other aspects of these candidates' performance during the competition.

Strength, strategy, and mentality are all factors that will ultimately determine the outcome.

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.

If it is known that there is only one loser, then some candidates may deliberately lose the previous rounds in order to face a weaker opponent.

After all, judging from the competition format, the opponents will definitely be weaker as the competition progresses.

However, if we were to encounter such a cheating candidate, I'm afraid none of you here would acknowledge such a qualified person.

"You old cunning bastard..."

Thinking of this, Yagura Karatachi couldn't help but glance at Hiruzen Sarutobi, silently muttering to himself.

This guy deliberately didn't tell the candidates the real assessment criteria, probably to test their character.

However, Yagura Katsuki did indeed misunderstand Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because it wasn't him who proposed this competition format and rules, but Kagura, who was standing behind him at that moment, looking righteous and full of vigor.

The inspiration for this competition format came from a scene Kagura saw in a manga in her previous life, a hot-blooded manga drawn by an author who loved playing mahjong.

Returning to the main text, Kato Dan below has now finished explaining the details of the duel to the examinees.

"Do you understand everything?"

He looked at the examinee in front of him and asked a serious question.

Seeing the candidates nod, he said no more.

At this moment, the screen above also displayed the matchup list for the first group.

Looking up, Kato Dan addressed the crowd:

"Alright, the two candidates whose names are displayed above, please stay here. The rest of you, please return to the stands."

A moment later, the examinees slowly dispersed, leaving only the two of them in the huge arena.

One of them was Sasori from Sunagakure.

Today he was dressed in a black robe, and his face still had that same calm expression.

Standing opposite him was a genin from Kirigakure.

His name...

Forget it, this kind of minor character who doesn't even survive half a chapter isn't worth remembering his name...

It has to be said that this generation of Kirigakure is indeed very weak.

Of the 32 people who passed the final assessment, including Ao, only 3 people from Kirigakure made it to the final assessment.

And the one standing in front of Scorpion now is one of them.

Looking at Sasori in front of him, the genin revealed a smug smile.

He looked at the scorpion, which was a head shorter than him, and instead of attacking first, he calmly spoke:

"I didn't expect to be so lucky; my opponent in the first round would be you."

I had originally planned to intentionally lose in the first round so that I could be matched with weaker opponents later on.

But since it's you I've encountered, then it seems unnecessary.

"Very lucky?"

Hearing his words, Scorpion's face remained calm, but he couldn't help but repeat the sentence.

But upon seeing his appearance, the genin laughed, pointing confidently at Sasori and saying:

"I haven't had a break these past few days."

A detailed investigation of the other candidates had already been conducted.

You must be Sasori from Sunagakure, hailed as a rare genius in puppetry within the village.

Scorpion did not respond to his words and remained calmly standing in place.

But the genin didn't pay any attention and continued talking to himself:

"Hehe, a genius in puppetry."

If I were to run into you on a normal day, I'm afraid I would have no choice but to avoid you.

But I've investigated thoroughly, and you only brought four puppets with you to Konoha this time!

During that day's exam, almost all four of your puppets were damaged and unable to fight anymore.

No matter how skilled you are, what can a puppeteer do without puppets?

You're so weak now!

Hearing this, Scorpion finally reacted. He looked up at the incessantly chattering enemy in front of him and said with slight impatience:

"Have you finished speaking?"

"Shall we begin the battle now?"

"Ah!

"Puffing up your chest!"

Seeing Sasori's reaction, the genin cursed under his breath.

However, he had lost interest in speaking at this point, and instead drew a kunai from his waist with a sinister grin.

In his view, this so-called genius would easily be defeated by him in the next second.

These so-called geniuses probably never imagined they would have such a day.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Finally, he could no longer contain his excitement, and with a burst of speed, he pounced on the scorpion.

However, just as he leaped into the air, a look of fear flashed in his eyes, and his body suddenly stiffened.

Snapped!

He seemed to lose all his strength and suddenly fell from mid-air.

His body was stiff, and he struggled to lift his head, looking at Scorpion with an incredulous expression.

At this moment, Sasori had already extended his right hand, and blue chakra lines extended from his five fingers, disappearing into the limbs of the genin.

"You... this is..."

Clearly, the genin had not lost the ability to speak.

But the next second, a look of fear appeared in his eyes.

Because at that moment he realized that his right hand, which was holding the kunai, was uncontrollably stabbing towards his stomach.

"No...